Do You Have to Cook Oatmeal Before Adding it to a Smoothie?
Oatmeal is a great way to start your day. But a bowl of hot porridge isn't the only way to enjoy this highly nutritious grain for breakfast. It also makes a fine addition to a morning smoothie. You don't have to cook oatmeal before adding it to a smoothie, but you can.
Oatmeal is a great way to start your day. But a bowl of hot porridge isn't the only way to enjoy this highly nutritious grain for breakfast. It also makes a fine addition to a morning smoothie. You don't have to cook oatmeal before adding it to a smoothie, but you can. Raw oatmeal is a more convenient option, since pre-cooking adds an extra step. Some people prefer the creamy texture cooked oatmeal provides.
Raw
You have two options when adding raw oatmeal to a smoothie. Blend raw oatmeal to a powder in the blender before adding the other ingredients for the smoothest texture. However, many recipes calling for raw oatmeal simply blend everything together at once -- the quickest and most convenient option. The cookbook "River Cottage Everyday" refers to this style of smoothie as a "thickie."
Cooked
If you choose to use cooked oatmeal in your morning smoothie, it's best to pre-cook the oatmeal the night before. This way, the oatmeal has a chance to cool completely before use. If you didn't plan ahead, add extra ice to your smoothie mixture to help chill your freshly-cooked oatmeal.
Timing
Add oatmeal to a smoothie when you desire a nutritional boost. Oatmeal is also a good thickener if you prefer your smoothies with extra body. Oatmeal is particularly useful when concocting vegan smoothies. Finally, consider smoothies as another way to use up leftover oatmeal.
Nutrition
One cup of oatmeal provides 32 percent of your daily fiber needs as well as 39 percent of your daily thiamine, 19 percent of your daily iron and 17 percent of your daily zinc. It's also a good source of magnesium, phosphorous, copper and other B vitamins.